On Jan. 7, the Little Miami Board of Education voted to terminate its membership with the nonpartisan Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) over its public opposition to anti-LGBTQ+ Ohio House Bill (HB) 8, the Parents’ Bill of Rights.
Now passed into law and set to take effect April 9, the measure requires all public school teachers and staff, including counselors, to out LGBTQ+ students to their parents, regardless of anti-LGBTQ+ abuse in the home.
However, OSBA said the group opposed the legislation specifically due to an additional requirement forcing school boards to create new policy around release times for religious instruction – threatening local school boards’ ability to self-govern.
Until now, every one of Ohio’s 611 traditional public school districts have been members of OSBA, along with an additional 98 non-traditional districts across the state. It is a professional association that “engages and serves Ohio’s public school board members and the diverse districts they represent,” providing advocacy, professional development and resources.
In a Jan. 13 statement, the Warren County Republican Party celebrated the board’s decision to terminate its membership. During a Jan. 28 school board meeting, Warren County Republican Party Central Committee Chairman Peter Mengel read the statement aloud:
“We applaud the Little Miami School Board’s decision to not join the OSBA due to its position and lobbying efforts against parental rights, specifically Ohio House Bill 8, and we encourage other local school boards to do likewise and not join.”
Mengel called the non-profit “too political” and a “left-wing agenda organization,’ and offered the district a $10,000 donation to cover the cost of a membership in another, hypothetical school board organization.
“I will donate up to $10,000 to match joining something that is similar to the OSBA, but that you all deem acceptable,” Mengel said. “I will donate up to $10,000 to make up the difference, if there’s a difference.”
Members of the Little Miami Board of Education did not respond to requests for comment regarding Mengel’s offer.
Based on comments made before the board, Mengel’s move appeared to be spurred – at least in part – by a recently rejected flag policy that would have required teachers to remove LGBTQ+ Pride flags and safe-space stickers from their classrooms.
Ultimately, board members voted to reject the policy on Jan. 21, citing massive public opposition, including a local petition with more than 800 verified signatures.
But Mengel – along with conservative school board member David Wallace – admonished the board’s “lack of decisive action” regarding a “neutral flag policy.”
Mengel said LGBTQ+ Pride flags are part of “radical left-wing ideologies that have been displayed in classrooms,” and told board members that defining a classroom as a public venue would require teachers to display “opposing material, such as right-wing material for the NRA.”
“Unfortunately, we are aware that politically charged materials favoring left-wing radical ideology still remain in some classrooms,” he added, in an apparent reference to LGBTQ+ Pride flags and other LGBTQ+-related materials.
Mengel and Wallance did not respond to requests for comment via their official Warren County Republican Party and Little Miami School District email addresses, respectively.
What does OSBA do?
OSBA members have access to a swathe of programs and services that include conferences and workshops, transportation services, legal and financial consulting and insurance programs for board members and district employees.
The organization’s long list of management services also helps school districts navigate day-to-day operations – from writing and updating policy manuals and employee handbooks to developing policy, crafting job descriptions and establishing operational processes around personnel, human resources and labor relations.
OSBA’s Mark Bobo said the Little Miami School Board is currently paying $10,600 in annual membership fees. However, the fees would increase to roughly $14,000 should the board terminate its membership – which allows access to discounted rates.
Addressing policy concerns
OSBA CEO Kathy McFarland appeared before the board to answer questions and address concerns regarding OSBA’s advocacy efforts.
“We are very transparent. We have advocacy. This is exactly what our platform is. It’s very up front so that people know what our work is,” McFarland said. “Our platform is a representation of what our members want us to advocate for at the statehouse.”
The group’s comprehensive legislative platform is crafted via an internal delegate assembly process, with each item requiring a 75% supermajority vote of approval.
Chiefly, McFarland said OSBA advocates for local governance – which is why the organization sent a series of emails announcing its opposition to Ohio House Bill (HB) 8 Parents’ Bill of Rights Act.
An addition to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill will require school boards to craft new policies around release times for off-site religious instruction – which McFarland said could limit individual school boards’ autonomy.
McFarland said OSBA specifically advocates against limiting school boards’ local governance.
“People read it as we weren’t for or [supporting] parents’ rights,” she said. “We are absolutely for parents’ rights. We want to make sure that we stay true to our membership and fight for local control.”
According to OSBA representatives, the organization employs three lobbyists and does not make financial contributions to political candidates or campaigns using OSBA membership dues.
Replacing OSBA services
Mengel suggested that his donation would cover the cost of an “acceptable” alternative to OSBA. However, industry experts told board members there is not currently an organization that offers equivalent services.
During the same Jan. 28 meeting, board members discussed purchasing policy services via Neola – an education consulting firm that deals exclusively in board policy.
“All we do is policy. We’re not a membership. You contract with us to do your board policy,” said Neola’s Mark Barhorst. “The vast majority – a huge majority – of our clients are also OSBA members. They just use us for the policy aspect.”
OSBA did not respond to requests for comment regarding the operational implications of the Little Miami board’s vote to terminate their membership.
Members of the Little Miami Board of Education did not reply to requests for comment via their official Little Miami School District email addresses. 🔥
EDITOR’S NOTE
Little Miami Board of Education member Wayne Siebert responded to The Buckeye Flame’s request for comment on Feb. 6. “I believe that there are legal issues related to Mr. Mengel’s offer,” Siebert said. “I am not qualified or empowered to comment on this matter.”
Ignite Action
- If you are a young LGBTQ+ person in crisis, please contact the Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
- If you are an transgender adult in need of immediate help, contact the National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
- To register to vote or to check your voter eligibility status in the state of Ohio, click here.
- To find contact information for your Ohio state representative, click here.
- To find contact information for your Ohio state senator, click here.
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